Higher Education Mental Health First Aid

This course aims to create alert individuals who are ready, willing and able to offer support within higher education settings. The training is provided by accredited MHFA qualified instructors who understand not only the bespoke syllabus but also the complexities of student life.

Course Context

This Higher Education mental health awareness and skills course was created in consultation with leading student mental health charity Student Minds. It was piloted in 16 universities and evaluated by the University of Chester.

Every Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course is delivered by a quality assured instructor who has attended the MHFA seven day instructor training programme accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health.

Participants learn practical skills that can be used every day, including how to spot the early signs of mental ill-health, explore and engage in conversation, actively LISTEN and support using internal and external ongoing care.

Duration: 1 day
Capacity: Numbers are limited to 16 people per course so that the trainer can keep delegates safe and supported while they learn.

Who Is It For?

The Higher Education Mental Health First Aid course is for anyone who either works or studies in a higher education environment. The course gives a deeper understanding around the issues that relate to student and staff mental health.

Key Benefits

Research and evaluation show that taking part in the MHFA course:

Raises awareness and mental health literacy
Reduces stigma around mental ill-health
Boosts knowledge and confidence in dealing with mental health issues
Promotes early intervention which enables recovery

Everyone who completes the course receives a copy of the Higher Education MHFA Manual which is an excellent reference and support resource. They also get a certificate and badge to say they are a MHFA Champion – someone with the skills and confidence to advocate for mental health awareness, support a culture of wellbeing, spot signs of mental ill-health and guide a person to a place of support.

Course Content

The specialised Higher Education MHFA instructors deliver an intensive one-day course which covers a number of key topics:

What is mental health?
Depression and anxiety
Suicide
Self-harm and eating disorders
Psychosis
Mental Health First Aid action plan

The day includes a mix of presentations, group discussions and workshop activities. The trainer provides a safe learning environment where participants are supported throughout the course.

The course aims to give delegates the information and skills to look after their own mental health, promote positive wellbeing and raise awareness in the people around them. By giving delegates the tools to have these conversations, they are empowered to create a mentally healthy, supportive environment in their higher education establishment.

University Mental Health Charter

Currently Student Minds are in consultation with the leading charities and the University Minister Sam Gyimah to produce a University Mental Health Charter. The Charter details are still being researched but it aims to establish and reward excellence in supporting student mental wellbeing & mental health.

The charter will take a number of years to develop and be piloted. It will be voluntary but it is hoped that this will set a benchmark for Universities to aspire to achieve. Undoubtedly training and knowledge of mental health and wellbeing in addition to an ability to provide early intervention will be a key part of any Charter.

A testimonial for the Higher Education MHFA course:

“The Trainer was brilliant – extremely knowledgeable, had lots of examples of experience and was really engaging – I wanted to know more.”

Related Training Courses

Mental Health Awareness Training for Managers

As managers play a key role in supporting their team members’ physical and mental health, this 1-day course endorses the importance of workplace mental health and equips managers with the basic knowledge essential to supporting a mental health diagnosis.

Workplace MHFA 2-day course

Enlightened employers are now highlighting first aiders for both physical and mental health in the same way. This course is designed to teach participants how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health together with a set of skills which enables them to support someone experiencing mental health issues.

SafeTALK Suicide Alertness for Everyone

Participants can expect to leave the 3-hour safeTALK course with practical knowledge, helping identify those who are at risk, confidently asking them about the topic of suicide, and connecting them with resources that can help them stay safe. Suitable for anyone in the workplace who wants to become a suicide-alert helper.

Find out more

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions. We are always happy to talk about our courses and help you to work out the best match for your requirements.

Email us or call 0131 476 5027

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

"The quality of the training has been fantastic and our employees are really engaging with the trainer and getting something out of it. Also In Equilibrium makes the whole process very easy to arrange."

— Employee Engagement & Wellbeing Officer, Sophie Holland

AGE UK

"We wanted to provide a course that taught useful and practical coping strategies that our members could put into place straight away. In Equilibrium’s experience showed us that they could provide this, and they tailored the course perfectly."

— The Association of Electoral Administrators

"In-Equilibrium recently presented Mental Health Awareness to Managers in all of our area offices. The training was really well received and all of the trainers were praised for their in-depth knowledge and understanding."

— Roger Bullivant Limited

"The training was very well received by staff who now all intend to implement the session’s practical tips and techniques into their existing roles. A large proportion of the staff rated the facilitator and their delivery as excellent and their only recommendation was for a further and longer session!"

— Leeds City College

Recent articles on our blog....

Brown ceramic mug on a wooden table with the backdrop of a trailing branch with colourful Autumn leaves

Practical tips and advice on protecting team wellbeing in our Autumn 2019 newsletter

Nov 15, 2019

This edition of In Equilibrium also includes: • Some practical tips for having good quality conversations about mental health at work • The benefits of building 'giving' into your self-care routine • Some relevant resources include a workplace wellbeing white paper

Newsletter resources include a workplace wellbeing white paper

Nov 8, 2019

Our Autumn newsletter also includes links to the new Every Mind Matters platform, an independent inquiry into bullying & harassment and a trauma pathway.